52:05.70S 73:25.31W

The wind goddess giggled when Franco hoisted the sail this morning in Caleta Chandler. We were hopeful for another good wind day like yesterday and the gentle breeze blowing down the inlet gave us hope. 

Once in the main channel we turned the engine off and waited. Not a breath! The August sunshine warmed our bones and melted the hard frost off Caramor’s deck, it was another beautiful day.

Canal Santa Maria

Resigned, we motored down Canal Santa Maria. Towering above us was Franco’s mountain. He had spotted an interesting route to the summit when we sailed past it in Estero Las Montañas, this time we were looking at the opposite flank. Although not particularly high at 1150m, it looks very spectacular. It isn’t named on any of our charts so may still be up for grabs. Anyone want a mountain or an island? there are plenty around here without an epithet. Caramor would like her own caleta but it will have to be very safe and have something special about it.

A spectacular peak on Peninsula Roca

As we rejoined the main shipping route at Paso Morla Vicuna, we were overtaken by three fishing boats which had come through Canal Kirke. They waived and took photos of Caramor, sailing yachts remain a bit of a rarity in these waters.

For lunch I thought I should eat some fruit, and we have some nice mandarines, but I have to admit, with the cold, a slab of butter seemed more appetising. Lemon curd was a good compromise, vitamin C to ward off scurvy and plenty of delicious fat.

As we turned into Canal Union, the wind picked up and we were able to sail close-hauled. Caramor was jogging along nicely at 5.5 knots with a steady 10-15 knot breeze blowing when suddenly the wind just stopped. I am always baffled when this happens, I fail to grasp a logical explanation. After a few minutes the wind picked up again, this time from the complete opposite direction and blew us gustily into our anchorage.